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On the Personal Side

Background

I was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., and was raised in Huntington, Ind.

Husband

My husband, Mark, is a chiropractor in Huntington. We met when some friends invited Mark to my house for a New Year’s Eve Party. I had never met Mark, and knew it was his first time to join our group, so I wanted to make him feel comfortable. I must have done a good job, because six months later we got married.

First Date

For our first date, we went to a movie. When it was over, I suggested we go back to my house and check on my youngest daughter. When we arrived home, his first introduction to my youngest was “breaking up the party.” He can’t say he didn’t have a warning to what he was getting into with my four children.

Our Honeymoon

My honeymoon was in Cabo San Lucas. We got to be lazy for a week of sunshine. I did have a little too much adventure there though. I almost lost my life to a rogue wave. My new husband held on to me with both hands until he was buried up to his knees in the sand. He’s a good guy and doesn’t remind me that he saved my life.

My Church

As a child I went to St. Peter Lutheran Church and attended parochial school for eight years. After living 10 years in Fort Wayne, I came back to Huntington and joined Good Shepherd United Brethren Church. When I got married to Mark, I joined College Park United Brethren.

Children

I have four children:

• My son Justin is married Liz Ulrich.
• My daughter Andrea is married to Josh Wehr.
• My son Sam and daughter Eva are single.

Mark has two children: Lacy, who is married to Drew Emsweller, and Cory Sell.

We have six grandchildren–four girls and two boys.

About My Work

I enjoy my work. It helps me look at God’s bigger picture, beyond my family and myself. I also work with great people who inspire me.

What I Like to Read

I read every night–biographies, Christian literature, politics, fiction, whatever I am motivated to read at the moment.

My Favorite Vacation

I have been blessed with some very nice vacations over my lifetime. I like to be outdoors and I have had some great camping adventures. My favorite was canoeing the Boundary Waters for a week.

My second favorite, was visiting my oldest daughter for two weeks when she had an internship in Germany. I loved the architecture in Europe. We hiked the mountains, toured Munich, white water rafted in Austria, went to an opera in Vienna, and much more. It was a fabulous opportunity.

In Regard to Pets….

I use to breed chocolate Labs. It was a great experience to have with my children. They would keep stats for me. Right now I have a mixed breed. She has been a good protector for 10 years. She is slowing down now, just like her master.

An Interesting Job I Held in the Past

I turned my house into the Harris Guest House. It was a bed and breakfast and reception facility. I met so many interesting people and shared in a lot of wonderful times.

What I Enjoy

The time I enjoyed the absolute most was raising my four children. I loved being totally involved in their young years and spending time with them. It was fun! I loved reading to them, playing inside and outside, discovering nature, working on art projects, and being involved in the things they loved. Now I have fun with my grandchildren. It gives me an opportunity to “play.”